Consider Space and Fit as a Cost Driver When Applying Actuation to Your Valves and Dampers

Being creative with the design and layout of automated valve packages, and paying attention to space, has significant impact on the total life-cost of an automated valve (or damper) package. Evaluating the footprint available, and then choosing components that will allow for simple installation and continued ease of maintenance, will pay dividends over the long term. Always plan your valve and damper automation systems with ample space for access to tools and service personnel.  Don't burden your maintenance staff with an over complicated or nightmarish actuation system that takes hours of preparation just to do routine maintenance. Also consider that easier access many times means greater safety.

Kinetrol pneumatic actuators, spring modules, and positioners are engineered with this in mind. Their efficient actuator design provides more torque in a smaller package and their bolt together, modular configuration, provides very significant space savings. The result is more power in a smaller space, along with easy access, and quick change-out.

Consider Space When Applying Actuation
(click for larger view)

As you can see from the image above, electrohydraulically powered valves and dampers (left) require pumps and motors. Pneumatic cylinder operated valve and dampers require mounting fixtures, linkages, and additional tubing. But you'll note the Kinetrol actuator and positioner (center) provides mounting directly to the valve/damper shaft. The automation is done cleanly and takes up substantially less space.

Which would you rather service?

1/4 Turn Electrohydraulic Valve Actuators

A hydraulic gear pump immersed in its own reservoir delivers pressurized oil to the vane-type 90° actuator via the control box, which contains non-return valves and solenoid valves to direct the flow into the actuator; with cam operated limit switches to control travel and (optionally) signal position to the user. The unpressurized side of the actuator is connected to the reservoir, so there is no net transfer of oil from reservoir to actuator. The pump and its motor run entirely on precision ball bearings, so that the friction and motor size can be minimized and life maximized; the efficiency resulting from this reduces the heating effect and allows 100% rating. A pressure release valve is built into the pump so that if the actuator load becomes jammed the torque is limited and dangerous over pressures or motor stalls are avoided.

Fail-safe spring return action uses a reliable low-stress-range sealed clock-type spring unit mounted coaxially with the actuator, together with a fail-open solenoid valve, to ensure reliable positioning when power is not supplied to the unit. A high flow external dump valve can be fitted to allow very rapid spring-driven action.

Double-acting models are supplied with solenoids arranged to give position locking when power is disconnected. An optional manual by- pass valve is available to allow manual override movement of a double acting when power is disconnected.

The interface between pump/reservoir unit and the control box allows mounting of the pump in different orientations at 90° to each other, so that the motor can be kept above the reservoir whether the actuator output axis is horizontal or vertical. External electrical connections are all made via a single accessible connector block in the control box, with the simplest possible switching needed to drive the unit. Two conduit entries are available, to allow easy separate connection of power and signal lines (if used). All internal wiring is connected via a central connector and fuse board, and the actuator is protected from supply surges by a metal oxide varistor suppressor.

For more information contact:

Kinetrol USA
www.kinetrolusa.com
972-447-9443